If you have been in ALPCA for any length of time, then you are fully aware of the reproduction policy concerning fake and reproduction plates. The policy has been in effect for some 30 years and is intended to protect members from shady deals where reproductions are passed off as original plates. Reading the policy, it sounds pretty straight forward and 30 years ago, it was. But take into account that while many ALPCAns simply collect, there are other members who have expanded their collecting into a business. As a business, some ALPCA members put themselves at risk when dealing to customers in non-collecting markets where reproduction plates may be accepted. This includes the largest market- Year of Manufacture which in some states have created a lot of gray areas where reproduction plates create a bit of confusion. Now you're asking what confusion? What gray area? In 1985 when the reproduction policy was created, there were only a dozen or so states with some type of YOM law. Today all but 2 states have such a law of which most if not all are very different and that is where the gray areas are when it comes to what is legal to use for YOM in any particular state vs. what is allowed in the ALPCA collecting community. In this Part 1 of the series, the Year of Manufacture laws of the Carolinas are used as a sampling to show the differences between the two states and a recent example of non-compliance to the Reproduction Policy.

Plates Officially Sanctioned in NC/SC- Starting with North Carolina, the law simply states a vehicle 35 years old or older can have the same year plate on it and does not elaborate whether the plate needs to be original, correct type for the vehicle or correct color. In fact, it need not be a North Carolina plate at all as plates from other states like Florida and California can be and have been used for YOM in NC. In short, anything goes as long as the plate displayed is of the correct year and the issued plate is produced when asked for it.

South Carolina, on the other hand, is less confusing as the plate must be an original plate from the year having the original paint and certain numbers cannot be registered. Still certain stickered bases can be used for certain years. The YOM laws of both Carolinas are very much different indeed.

Manufacturing Plates for YOM Use- As mentioned above, in North Carolina, for YOM anything goes as long as the plate displayed is of the correct year and the issued plate is produced when asked for it. That being said, anyone could make a picture of a plate on a computer, attach it to a sheet of metal and bolt it on the car and it be perfectly legal to use. So reproductions are legal to use in North Carolina for YOM which means for ALPCA members catering to this market, there stands the chance that some fellow members may not agree with the business practices used for this market. South Carolina will allow you to check numbers for clearing without producing the plate. The SC YOM law states the plate has to be an original plate issued by the state and cannot be repainted nor have rust. So offering plates for the SC YOM market is not a complicated as it is for North Carolina since reproductions or even repainted plates are not allowed.

Validation Markings- Currently, neither North or South Carolina validates any YOM plate displayed on the vehicle. North Carolina issues a current plate which must be carried in the vehicle at all times and be produced when asked for it. Let us not forget that in a year or two, older First in Flight base plates will become eligible for YOM. Rumor has it that NC may allow older 5 & 6 digit First in Flight plates to be re-issued for YOM which would use an original stickered plate and adding a current validation sticker to be placed over the original month sticker. Still, consider this- since NC has gone to the one sticker in the upper right corner of a plate, one can similate a YOM plate be simply adding the older year sticker on the left side to match the year of the vehicle even if it is newer than 35 years old. Perfectly legal as NC only requires the current validation sticker and "NORTH CAROLINA" be visible on the plate.

South Carolina issues a decal along with the registration which is required to be kept with the vehicle at all times. With South Carolina, Plates used between 1976 and 1985 need to be of the correct base and can show a different year tab if needed.

Consequences of Violating the Reproduction Policy- As ALPCA members, we are forced to collect according to the policies and by-laws to remain members of the club. While some members may choose to conduct a business involving manufacturing and/or restoring license plates and related materials for markets other than the collecting hobby, they are susceptible to become removed from the club when asked of their intentions and either not responding or giving an answer to the board which is not acceptable. The most recent member of ALPCA removed happened because of his non-response to his business practices being questioned even though he was fully licensed to produce those certain products intended for a non-collector market and despite his business being an LLC. Whether he is honest in what he does or not had no bearing and the vote to remove him was unanimous by the ALPCA board as the view of the board considers a non-response as the same as an admission of guilt. This is something that all members who cater to different markets involving license plates need to take into consideration as it is evident that the board takes into consideration all aspects of its members and actions related to their business.